So I was reading through the recent news in that rag I call the Daily Herald, and was surprised to see a story about the Lehi Mayor and his "visionary" plan for a new highway and causway across Utah Lake. I am just getting into this discussion late in the game or what is that all about and how would it affect fisherpeople?
[signature]
I have been hearing talk about said causway for quite a few years now and nothing ever comes of it. The cost of such a venture is enormous and it doesn't seem like enough people would benefit from it at this point in time. Sure things are growing quite a bit on the other side but not nearly enough yet.
I really don't think it would affect the fishing all that much but I suppose it would depend on exactly they would build it.
[signature]
There will be no causeway. June Sucker.
Stupid idea anyway. Turn the west side road into a 6 lane would be cheaper. We better buy now. A light rail spur to the commuter rail would be least land using.
[signature]
Stupid or not it will be built. Have you heard the expression "Build it and they will come".
It is closer to happening than you think. They can build it with little or no impact of the june sucker.
Think Legacy Hiway, you know the one the courts said NO you may not build it there. Hmmmm It's being built as another traffic jam road. Just like the bangeter stop and go traffic, more congestion, accidents, you name it.
My concern is what will a cause way do to the water quality of UL? I don't opose the idea in itself. But may if the plan of action is not apporiate. Time will tell. Just my 2 cents
[signature]
Quote:
Water Quality? Imagine all the old sludge from Geneva Steel being stirred up just by surveying the depths of the lake. Yuck!
[signature]
I agree, I think we'll see it eventually. Don't know that it'll be anytime soon, but it will happen. Once it does, then growth on that side of the lake will skyrocket. It would sure make my summer commute to my clay shooting spot a lot shorter. As long as I can still shoot over there and the growth doesn't put a stop to that then it's fine, probably will in the long run though.
[signature]
I had some of the same thoughts about the June sucker and all that, but it does sound like its going to happen some day. I wonder if it will adversly affect the fishing, or how they would do the causway. When I think causeway, I think of dirt and rock just piled up from the bottom--as opposed to a bridge that would allow natural movement of currents, migrating fish, etc. On the positive side, it seems that it would create more structure. I wish they would put less effort into a causway and think about dredging the whole lake (as if that will ever happen). TD, do you have any thoughts on this?
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]I personally doubt that they will ever build a causeway. There is too much cost in engineering and materials to run a bridge clear across Utah Lake. Even if they have to buy some land, I think the feasibility of running a "parkway" from Saratoga to Pleasant Grove would probably make more sense.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yes, there is a lot of new development on the west side of the lake, but not likely ever enough to justify the over-the-water plan. But, then again, I am not in politics. I try to think things through logically. That can be a liability if you are in government.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Makes about as much sense as building fish ladders for the carp to use on their spawning runs.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As far as the June suckers...don't get me started. That has to be the most expensive walleye feeding program in the world. One can only wonder how many poor people that money could feed...or keep in homes and off the streets.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I'm a nature lover from way back, and I do what I can to protect and aid the environment. But, dagnabbit, there comes a time when you gotta face reality. The June suckers in Utah Lake are doomed. Without firing up a time machine and returning the lake to pre-carp (and assorted predators) days, and to a time before the heavy pollution, there is just not suitable living conditions for the Junies.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We are all too materialistic and suffer from the "what's in it for me?" syndrome. But, the economics of the June sucker situation are that they are a big NET LOSS for all concerned. They have no value as a food fish or a sport fish. Nobody spends money to see them or fish for them. But, the fish that we do spend money to fish for are being persecuted because they eat Junies. I just gotta ask myself...would the world end tomorrow if we lost all the June suckers? Probably not. And, would restoring the June suckers restore world peace and put an end to hunger and poverty? Same answer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I love the way the British deal with hopeless situations. They shrug, roll their eyes and mutter "Bloody shame". Then, they deal with it and move on. Why can't we do that once in a while without worrying about what everybody else thinks?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]CRASH!!!! My soapbox just got kicked out from under me.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
lol..you 'Da man TD!
I have to agree, I'm from Idaho and a while back there was a big stink about some sort of snail that was going extinct and all sorts of cash were thrown at saving it. I was young at the time, and maybe I was not (still am not) well informed, but for heaven's sake, they're freaking snails, just let 'em go. I feel the same way about the june sucker. Bloody shame.....now let's see if we can get the carp out of there.
[signature]
[#0000ff]I think everybody should practice C&R with carp...just like in the attached pic.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Actually, I handled that fine specimen a bit roughly and it may have not survived.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I plan to do my part in carp eradication this spring. Have bow will perforate. (See other pic)[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Love it!
I have a bow that I have not used for years. I need to go get me a reel for it so I can go do some carp hunting. One of the fellows here at work loves to go shoot carp with his bow and last year he shot two at the same time. He has video of it, I'll see if I can find it and I'll post it.
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]If you hunt them in shallow water, you don't need a bow reel. Just scrounge up some EXPENDABLE field tips or target point arrows and go for it. You can often find carp rolling and thrashing in water only inches deep so you just need to be prepared to chase them if they take off with your arrow.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Two in one shot is common. My best was FIVE on one arrow. Shot parallel to the water into a mass of horny carp. I have strung three or four several times. Of course that takes a more powerful bow than the lighter ones most guys use to keep from gettin' whupped during a full day of shooting. I usually use a lighter compound these days, and let off the pull to about 25 pounds.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
5 would be a sight to see. Just posted that video.
[signature]
Rather than a causeway, let's just get WalMart, K Mart, and every other box store to build on the west side of the lake. Then there won't be an economic "need" to drive across the lake.
Fishrmn
Oh sure that's what we need more big box polution. But ya know if Wally World built there then the need for the causeway would be greater than it is now. My hell you wouldn't expect them to pay extra wages for an illegal to drive their truck there. Would ya? LOL
[signature]